Push button switch



Dec. 3, 1940, H. CATRQN' TAL 2,223,673

PUSH BUTTON SWITCHA Filed May 3. 1937 'diggs y Patented Dec. 3, 12940 i PUSH BUTTON SWITCH Harold Catron and Delbert J. Chapman, Logansport, Ind., assignors to RBM Manufacturing Company, Logansport, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application May 3, 1937, Serial No. 140,326

20L Claims.

The present invention relates generally to pushv button switches and the like, and is particularly concerned with the .provision of a new and irnproved solenoid control switch of the type that is mounted on the instrument panel of anv automobile for controlling the starting mechanism.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a push button switch of the type above referred to which is so constructed and arl0 ranged that it may be mounted in position by merely pressing the switchl unit into place in its opening in the instrument panel. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to 4 formed so as to be capable of exerting a con-` tinuous wedging action against one or more edges of the panel opening receiving the unit so e as to hold the unit in position rmly and rigidly without any danger of becoming loosened under the influence of jars and vibrations to which it is subjected in the use of the automobile. According to the present invention, by virtue of the use' of spring members that exert a continuous bias wedging the unit in position, the effect of jars and vibrations is Ito hold the unit even more. securely in position.

Another object-of the present invention is the provision of a notched opening in the instrument panel and a switch unit having a pair of spring arms especially adapted to t in said notches, thereby guiding the unit into its proper position, and moreover, yieldingly holding the unit in position with a continuously exerted wedging action.

Still further, another object of the present-in- -vention is the provisionof a new and improved switch structure) embodying a pronged contact member carried y the push button' and adapted to connect an insulated contact member with the case of the switchso as to ground the contact through the switch case to the panel, and a further object of the present invention in this connection is the provision of new and improved means for holding the insulated contact in position, which may also be used for anchoring the one or more latch arms, the ends of which are particularly formed so as to secure the abovementioned wedging action.

'I'hese and other objects and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed "description, Vtaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing lllustrating'the same. In the drawing: 1

(Cl. 20G-159) Figure 1 is an enlarged section taken horizontally through a switch unit embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2' is a view of the opening in the instrument panel that is especially adapted to receive the switch unit shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the switch unit shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an outside end view of the unit shown in Figure 3; 10

Figure 5 is a section, taken at a reduced scale, along the line 5-5 of Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a horizontal or plan view illustrating the action of the spring arms when the unit is being placed in position on the instrument 15 panel.v v

Referring now to the drawing, more particularly 4to Figure 1, the switch unit, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral I0, includes a hollow switch case or body member II'which is 0 provided at one end with a radially outwardly extending flange l2 having a pair of opposed notches I3 and I4. At the end of-the switch case I I opposite the flange I2 the end is closed except for a central opening I5 in which 'the re- 25 duced portion Il of a terminal block I3 is disposed. The terminal block I3 is formed of insulating material and is generally circular in formation. On the interior of the switch case I'I is l a `contact cup 20, also of circular formation and 30 having a generally axially extending ange 2| disposed concentrically of the case II. An insulating washer 24 is disposed between the bottom of the contact cup 20 and the end of the switch case I I opposite the outer flange I2 there- 35 of. The `contact cup 20,1.the insulating washer 24, and the terminal block I8 are provided with axially aligned openings that are adapted to receive a rivet 26, the head 21 of which is disposed against the inside of the c'up 20. A terminal 40 assembly, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 30, is mounted against the rear.

tface of th terminal block I8 and the latter has a recess 3I therein to vreceive a lug 32 vthat 4is formed on a terminal frame 33. A terminal spring 34 is arranged with a resilient contact armiiwhioh is slotted, as at 3B, to receive the conductor-receiving portion 3l of the terminal frame 33. The portion 310i the terminal frame 33 is provided with an opening 40 (Figure 3) in (50A which a conductor is adapted to be placed and to be held in position by the-resilient portion 35 of the contact section 34. The members 33 and 34 are provided with apertures 42 which are in i line with the apertures in the terminal block IB Il and associated parts,'and.which receivevthe rivet 26. When the end of the'latter is rivetedover, as at 43, the .terminal block assembly and the 1inside insulated contact cup are held in proper amount, so vthat when the rivet 26 is tightened the inside cup 20, the terminal assembly 38; andw the spring member 41 are all firmly and rigidly secured in position.l The spring'arms-49fand 51 are utilized for holding the switch unit I0 in .position aswill be described later.

lA'push button 60 is arranged at the end of the switch case II opposite the terminal assembly. vand includes a drawn part having a radially outwardly disposed ange 6|. A locatingwasher l62 is arranged against the flanged end 6I of the push button 60 and is provided with a central raised section 63` about which a contact member -65` isdisposed. The member 65 is formed with a central web 66 having a plurality of prongs 61 and 68, the ends of each being cupped as best shown in Figure 1.' 'I'he prongs 61 are flared outwardly from, the

central web section 66 so as to be resiliently'heldin electrical contact with the inner surface of the. switch case whilethe other prongs 68 are more centrally disposed and are arranged in a position to'engage the anged'section 2| of the contact cup v2|), as best illustrated in dotted lines in' Figure 1. A spring. insulating washer- 10 is provided with -a'recess 1I on one side and a raised section 12 on the other side,'the recess 1I being' adapted to overlie'the projection 63 on the locating washer 62, while a spring 15 has one end disposed over the head 21 of the rivet 2.6 and the 5 other'end engaged over the raised. section 12 of push button 60 4for outward movement relative the washer 62. The spring 15 is thus arranged to bias the movable contact member away .from the stationary contact cupA 20, also biasing the to the switch case Il.v

i' 'I'he outward movement ofthe push button 60 is limited by the engagement of the flanged section 6I thereof with a bezel 11 -which has aninner collar 'section 18 receiving the push button 68 and an outerrim section 19 the edge portion of which is spun over the flange I2 on the switch case I in the assemblyof the'unit. ltisfto be noted that whenthe rivet 26 is placed and A'when the bezel 11 is fastened over the flange 12,' all of the switch parts are heldin assembled relation;

The switch unit I0 is ladapted to be mounted 'in a panel, indicated in Figures 1 and 2 bythe reference numeral 80,-which is especially adapted to receivethe same. Usually, the `panel' 8|) is a metallic plate or sheet and', according to the present invention, we form a generally circular opening 8| (Figure 2) in the panel 80 and' provide a' pair o f horizontally extending opposed notches- 83 and 84 of generally rectangular formation, the

Y vertical dimension'of which is substantially equal to the width o'f the spring arms 49 and .50. In casesv where thepush button is used as astarting date this'arrangement, and to insure that-the l bezel will -be fastened tightly inplacewhen the rim section 19 is spun over the flange *|21 on the switch u case,l we lprovide.- a Ushaped spacingwasher 81 .having a gap 88 therein diniensioned y so as to clear the material inwhich the word Start'is impressed. This spacing Washer 811s adapted to lie againstthefiange lI2 on the switch case Il, and for the purpose of locating the same l in order that the legend on fthe bezel `11will be in the -proper positipn, two diame'trically opposite projections 90 and 9| are formed on the flange I2 and the spacing washer 81 is provided with a. pair of notches 93 and 94 to receive the projections. 90 j .and 9|, as best indicated in Figure 5. f

' members in this operation and they are especially formed so as vto exert 'a constinuo'us force at. all times tending .to wedgejthe unit ,tightly in the opening `8| of the panel.A 80.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1, j37 'I ando, each. end. of thespring arms 49 and 5011s formedwith an angledsection'96 which is bent inwardly toward the body of the switch case II. Each angularly bent'section 96 is of the same ,width as the arm itself, butoutwardly of the bent section `96 each arm has a reduced portionfor lug 91 which is adapted to be' disposed within the associated notch, I3 or' I4, f ormedin the ange I2 of'the switch case: II'. shown in Figure -1, are embraced by the rim section 19-of the bezel `11, lso that the latter serves tolimit the outward springing of the'arms '49 and- 50 'under the action of their own resiliency. When the unit I8 is to be mountedI in plac, the unit is placed in the opening 8| with the spring arms 49 and-5I) disposed in the rectangular openings, 83 and 84 in the panel 88. Thus, the openings`83 and 84 and the spring arrfns49 and 50 serve to locate the unit y I0 in the proper position and prevent the same from'being turned'out of the proper position aboutits own axis. ADuringthe operation of pressing the unit I0 into the opening 8|, the outer ends of thespring arms`49 and 50 engage the-vertical edges of the openings -83 and 84 before the high points'on the spring armspass .l the edges of the openings es and s4, as indicated in Figure 6. 'However'. when thehigh points clear the edges of the openings, the wedge or angled portions 96 engage the inner 'edges of the. openings 83 and 84 in the relation'shown in Figurel 1.

The dimensions of the -parts are such.4 that the angled sections 9 6 engage the edges of the opening in the panel when'th'e bezel rim is in engage- -ment with the outer face of thepanel, The reexert a continuous bias-against the edges of the panel opening and establish a continuous force l actively holding the unit III in place against the -forward face of the instrument panel 80. lSince the spring ,arms 49 and 50 act continuouslyagainst the rear edges of the panelfopenings, any jarsand-vibrations to which the switch unit is .sub-

jected will tend only to cause the arms to grip the panel tighter and hold the unit 'even 'more Irmly inipo'sition. QHowever, if it is desired to Aremove the'unit, all that it is necessary todo is.

to-force aflat tool, such asa screw-driver, underneath the flange and vpry the unit i outwardly through the opening in the panel. This action i aeaaovs forcesv the arms 48 and 50 inwardly toward the switch case Il.

While we have shown and described above the preferred structure in which the principles oi the present invention have been embodied, it is to be understood that our invention is not to be limited to the speciiic details shown and described above, but that, in fact, widely different means may be employed in thepractice of the-broader' aspects of our invention.

What we claim, therefore, and desire to secure I by Letters Patent is:

1. A. unit adapted to be mounted onla panel having an opening therein to receive the unit,

comprising a.i body member having one or more movable arms biased for outward movement, said lbody member having means adapted to engage arm for limiting the outward movement thereof when the unit is removed from said panel opening. l

2. An electrical unit adapted to be mounted on a panel having an opening therein adapted to receive said uni-t, comprising a body member have ing a ange adapted to be disposed substantially up against one side of the panel when said unit is mounted in place inthe opening thereof, said flange having a pair` of oppositely disposed notches therein, spring means` secured toi said body member and having oppositely disposed arms ex tending alongside the body member and termii nating in ends disposed vin said notches, the por- .tions of said oppositely disposed 'arms just inside the ends thereof which are disposed in said notches lying in convergent lines at anangle to '.the axis of the body member, whereby"'said porterminating 'in ends which are bent inwardly adtions are adapted to 4engage the edge of .thepanel opening at the other s'ide of the panel with a wedging action to exert a force tending to move the unit inwardly of said opening.A

3. An electrical unit as defined in claim 2, further characterized by a bevel mounted on said flange over vsaid notches and receiving the end portions of said spring arms to limit the .outward movement of the latter..

4. An electrical unit adapted to be mounted on a panel having an opening therein adapted to receive said unit, comprising, a body member having a ange, asprlng member secured tosaid body.`member and having oppositely disposed arms extending alongside the body member and jacent the plane of said ange and adapted to engage the edge of the' panel opening with a' wedglng action and to exert a force against the panel for tending to move the unit inwardly of the panel opening receiving the unit, anda bezel surrounding said ilange and the end'portions of said spring arms, said bezeland flange'servlng to limit the inward movement of the unit under the wedging action of said spring arms.

5. In a switch, the combination of a hollow switch case having an exterior flange atone end, a generally U-shaped spring member embracing the other end of said switch case and rigidly fastened thereto, said spring member having a pair of arms extending along the switch vcase and hav-v ing inwardly bent ends adjacent said flange, and

a bezel mounted on said flange and having inwardly directed flange portions engaging the ends i ofsaid arms to limit the outward movement' thereof -relative to said case.

6. A switch unit for use with a panel having an opening therein and provided-with a pair of 5 oppositely disposed generally rectangular notches, comprising a body member, a pair oioppos'itely disposed spring arms carried by the body mem'- ber and adapte'd to be received in said'notches when the switch unit is mounted insaid lopening 10 and acting against the panel for the purpose of holding the switch unit in said-opening, and means carried by said body member and engaging theV ends of said spring .arms for limiting their' outward movement when the unit `isseparated 15 from said panel. A 7.The combination with a panel having an opening therein, of -a switch'unitv embodying a switch Case having a' liange at 'one end, a pair of spring arms-anchoredjat the other end, said 20 arms extending along the switchcase to points, adjacent said flange, said ange being larger than the openingin the panel and saidy arms flaring outwardly relativeA to the switch case and having ends bent'inwardly at an angle so that when 25 the switch unit is inserted in the opening in said panel said angled ends engage the inner edge of said opening with a wedging action as saidarms flex outwardly, so as to yieldingly hold the switch unit in said opening with a continuously exerted 30 wedging action, each ofl said, arms extending through said panelbpening, and means at the flange end of said switch case and engageable l with the ends o f said spring armsl for limiting the y outward movement thereof when the switch case 35 is separatedfrom -s aid panel.

8. A switch unit 'comprising' a hollow switch' case, a push button carried thereby and extending therefrom at one end, a contact cup carried at the other end. of said lswitch ',case, and a con- 40 tact member carried by said push'button and having a plurality of prongs, certain of vsaid/ prongs being in engagement with Vsaid 'switch/ case and certain of the other prongs being adapt-',- v ed to engage said contact-cup in o ne position 0h45 the push button.

9. A' switch adapted to be mounted ln an opening in' a panel, comprising a hollow switch case vhaving aarige at one end,I an insulating terminal 'block at the otherend, a terminal mounted 50 movement of the push button, a locating washer disposed inside said switchcase and engaging @of the flanged end of said push button, a contact member disposed against said locating washer andhaving a plurality of prongs, certain of the latter being arranged to have sliding contact with said switch case and others being 'arranged in a 65 position to engage said contact cup when the push button is depressed, an ,insulating washer disposed against the said contact, and. a spring engaging the head of said rivet at one endand bearingl against said insulating washer at the other end, said spring serving to keep said contact out of' engagement with said contact cupl unless, the push button is depressed.

1.o. A switch adapteur@ be mounted in an opening in a panel, comprising a hollow switch case having ana-'nge at one end, an insulating terminal block at the other end, a terminal mounted thereon, a contact cup disposed Von the inside of said switch case, a latch arm having one end arranged tov engage the panel`,the other end engaging said switch case, rivet meansfastening said contact cup, said terminal block, said latch arm and said terminal in position on said switch case,.a push button extending outwardly from said switch case and having aflange, a bezel carried -on the ange of said switch case and cooperating with thai-lange on said push button for limiting the outward movement of thepush button, said latch-armreacting against the panel'forv holding the switch case in a position with the b ezel up against the panel, a loc-ating washer disposed inside said switch case and engaging lthe anged end of said push r button, a contact member disposedagainst said locating washer and having a plurality of prongs, certain of the latter being arranged to'have sliding contact with said switch case and others being arrangedin a position to en'g'age said-contact cup when the push buttonis depressed, an insulating washer disposed lagainst the said contact,and a spring engaging the head of said rivet at one end and bearing against said insulating washer at the other end, said `spring serving to keep said contact out ofv engagement with said contact cup unless the push button is depressed.

11..An electrical unit adapted to be mounted on a panel having an opening therein adapted to receive said unit, comprising a casinghaving a flange with a plurality of notches formed in the ilange, spring-means secured to said casing and having-panel engaging arms adapted to extend through the panel openingand intosaid notches,

-said ends being formed to engage the edges o'f saidA panel opening, and means on said casing and cooperating with the outer ends of said arms for limiting the outward movement of the latter. 12. A push button switch comprising a body member having an outwardly disposed flange, Aa spacing washer disposed against the outer sur face of the flange and having a central opening, a spring Abiased vpush button carried by the body member and extending outwardly through vthe central opening of said spac'ing washer at the iianged end of said body member, and a separate bezel of thin stock disposed at the outer surface of said spacing washer and spun over the edgethereof and-@the edge of said flange for holding the spacingvwasher in position `and embracing the push button to and limit itsmovement outwardly of the body member.

13. A push button switch as defined in claim 12 in which said bezel is'provided with indented characters and'said spacing member is provided with a recessed part to receive the indented por-l tions of the bezel.

14. A pushl button switch as defined in claim 12 in which said bezel is provided with indented characters and ,said spacing member is interrupted to provide a portion receiving the bezel indentations, and locating means on said ange and vspacing member for determining the position of the latter.

15. A push button switch comprising a bodyv member having an'open end and provided with a radially outwardly extending iiange at that ends` there being one or more openings formed in said flange, one or more spring arms fastened to said body member and vhaving en ds extending into said openings, a push button .carried on the body member and having areduced portionadapted 2,223,673; A to be disposed'exteriorly of the body member and -engaged by 'the flange of the latter for limiting v the outward movement of the push button rela- 'tive to the body member; the rim section of said bezel being spun over the edge of the iiangeon the body Amember so as to 4hold both the bezel and the push'buttonin position, said rim section o'f the bezel adjacent said openings serving as means limiting the outward movement o f 'said springl arms relative to the `body member.

- 16. A switch adapted to be' mounted in an opening in a panel, comprising a hollow switch case, an insulating terminal -block at one end, a

Ausl

terminal mounted thereon, a contact disposed on the inside of said switch case, rivet means fastening said contact, said terminal block and said terminalin position-on said switch case, a push s button extending outwardly from said switch case at the other end, a contact'niember movable with said push button and having a plurality of prongs, certain of thelatter being arranged-to have sliding contact with said switch case and,

others being arranged in a position to engage said vcontact when the push button is depressed, an insulating washer disposed against said. contact member', and a spring engaging the head of saidl rivet at one end and bearing against said insulating washer at the other end and held in place thereby, said'spring serving to keep said contact member out of engagement with said contact unless -the vpush button is depressed.

17.v A switch comprising aswitch case, a vcontact carried at one end thereof in insulated relation and comprisinga cup-like part having an outwardly aring flange', and a movable contact cooperating therewithand comprising a member.

having .a rst vspring arm bearing outwardly against the sideV of the switch case and'second spring arm adapted to engage the aring ange of said part with a wiping action and increasing contact pressure as said movable contact ismoved inwardly of the switch case. i

18. A switch as dened in claim 17 further -characterized by-said vspring arms being in diametrically .opposed relation, and spring means disposed between said cup-like part an'd said movable contact for holding the second arm `thereof'out of engagement with said part.

`19. A switch as defined in claim 17 further -characterized by said part having a plurality of spring arms engaging the switch'case, a spring disposed, between said cup-like partv and said movable cont-act for holding the latter out of engagement with said cup-like part, Aand a .push button loosely yreceiving said contact member for moving thesame into engagement withv said insulated contact with said plurality of arms engaging the switch case and guiding the movement e of said movable Contact member.

2o. A switch as defined ,in claim 17 .further characterized by a push button movably mounted in the switch case, I neans carried by the latter for limiting the outwardmovement of the push button, and a spring disposed betweensaid cuplike part and said movable contact for holding the latter against said push button and the push button against said limiting means with the movable contact out of engagement with said part.

v HAROLD 4 CATRON. DELBERT J. CHAPMAN. 

